Bible Strands
Exodus 9:7
Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pharaoh directs officials to verify the plague's results after the death of Egyptian livestock, finding Israel's animals unharmed. This occurs during the plague sequence as Moses and Aaron prepare for the next confrontation.
The words — וַ/יִּשְלַ֣ח (va/i.yishlach) means "and he sent," describing Pharaoh's command to investigate. לֹא־מֵת (lo'-met) translates literally as "not died," confirming the complete preservation of Israel's livestock.
The thread — This pattern of Pharaoh's refusal appears in Exodus 7:14, Exodus 8:32, and Exodus 9:12, where his heart remains unyielding despite repeated divine signs.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that verified facts do not automatically produce obedience. A reader must confront how hardened resistance persists even when evidence is explicitly confirmed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
Cross-references
- Exodus 7:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go.
- Exodus 8:32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go.
- Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.
- Job 9:4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?
- Proverbs 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
- Isaiah 48:4 For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
- Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.